New Domino, Brooklyn, New York, United States

The Domino effect

Rafael Viñoly’s recent luck seems set to continue as the City Council of New York City has approved the proposed zoning change for the New Domino scheme, allowing the project to storm forward. Online critics have been consistently derisive in their reports on the masterplan for the former Domino Sugar Refinery in Brooklyn, New York, however plans remain to break ground in 2011. The news comes hot on the heels of Viñoly’s successful acquisition of a new project for the United States Senate - the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

The New Domino project aims to create 660 units of affordable housing and four acres of public park space on the formerly industrial site on the edge of the East River. A modular, mixed use and residential development concentrates on the production of open space and public access to the river, while simultaneously preserving the landmark Refinery complex and the famed 40 ft high Domino Sugar sign. 30% of the proposed 2,200 apartments have been classified as ‘affordable’, marketed towards low-income families of which there are many in the local area. Separated into four blocks – two of 30 and two of 34 storeys – these residential buildings will be constructed in phases and will be anchored by an open lawn measuring almost one-acre.

Commenting on the recent progress, Rafael Viñoly said, “We are proud of the cooperative process between the City of New York and the design and development team led by CPCR which achieved the rezoning approval integrating affordable housing and a waterfront park into the New Domino project along the Williamsburg waterfront.”

To read a previous article detailing the controversy surrounding the New Domino project, click here.